Vihti

Vihti (Swedish: Vichtis) [11] is a municipality in Southern Finland. Its current population is 28 666 inhabitants. Being in the northernmost part of Helsinki Region, it mixes a semi-urban bedroom suburb to living countryside with old manor houses and large amounts of unspoiled nature.

The first written mention of Vihti is dated 1433, but the official founding year in considered to be 1507, when St. Bridget's Church was built and the first vicar was appointed. The municipality as a legal entity was formed in 1867, after the law regarding municipalities was approved in 1865. The town of Nummela started to grow in 1873 when the railway station on the Helsinki - Hanko line was opened. Despite the newly opened railway connection, Vihti remained quiet and small countryside dominated by numerous farms, until in the 1970s and 80s lightweight industry started to boom the economy and Helsinki's massive growth expanded further and further to Helsinki Region. Nowadays, the population has almost tripled from the year 1950 (and Nummela's population almost tenfold) and the municipality, especially in Nummela, continues its rapid growth, mainly thanks to the tremendous amount of jobs in the Helsinki area.

Vihti can be roughly divided into three parts: Nummela, Vihdin kirkonkylä and surrounding much smaller settlements.

Nummela is the largest population centre and current municipality seat with a population of around 13,000. It is where most of the municipality's shops, restaurants, bars and other services are located, but is heavily residential. Nummela has grown considerably in the last few years due to its proximity to Helsinki and its good transport links, and it is now a decent-sized commuter town in the Helsinki metropolitan area. The town is characterized by its location between two lakes and a steep esker that divides it, and its centre is divided in two by a railway track.

Vihdin kirkonkylä (Finnish for 'Vihti parish', frequently abbreviated as Vihti kk) is the old municipality seat with a population of around 6,000. It has certainly a more historical feel than the more modern Nummela, but has a smaller selection of services and a much more pastoral and laid-back atmosphere. The 18th century church on the top of the hill dominates the landscape, and most shops and restaurants are located on the main street Niuhalanraitti or near the bus station.

Other parts of the municipality are mostly rural, with small villages, farms and forest and virtually no commercial services. These rural areas are host to many of Vihti's highlights, such as Tervalampi with its gateway to Nuuksio National Park, Ojakkala with a ski resort and golf club and Olkkala famous for its stunning old manor.

Note that, confusingly, Vihti can refer to the municipality as a whole or Vihdin kirkonkylä in particular depending on the context. On road signs and bus windows, Vihdin kirkonkylä is usually referred to as simply Vihti or Vihti kk, and Nummela is sometimes abbreviated as NLA.

Despite having a name in Swedish, Vihti is officially unilingual, where only 1.7 % of the population is Swedish-speaking (notably less than some of its neighbouring areas), so it's probably a safer bet to use English instead. As everywhere in Finland, a vast majority of the population speaks understandable or fluent English. Other than English, you can try German or other major European languages.

The closest airport for domestic and international flights is Finland's busiest Helsinki-Vantaa, located about 50 km away from Nummela. Travel to the airport by car takes about 45 minutes. Buses from airport to Nummela charge 9.20 € and bus trip takes 55 minutes, including a transfer in Espoo.

Around 50 buses daily connect Nummela to Helsinki, the bus takes 35 - 60 minutes and charges 9.30 €. Around 25 services run to Vihti kk, 65 to 105 minutes (often including a transfer at Nummela), 10.50 €. Buses from and to Helsinki depart from and arrive at Helsinki bus station's long distance terminal.

Express services from Pori and Rauma to Helsinki pick up and leave passengers on Highway 2 intersections at Nummmela and Vihti kk. Price from both cities to Nummela crossroad is 38.10 € and running time equals three hours and 15 minutes.

Neighboring towns Karkkila and Lohja are within 30 minutes of bus rides and tickets are around 5 € with approximate 15 daily connections from both.

Number of services are given for weekdays, price examples for full price adult ticket with no supplements. Note that bus services are less frequent on weekends and buses departing between 23 and 05 charge night supplement.

Although Nummela originally grew from the railway station in the town and the railroad itself is still a prominent feature of local geography, there is no longer a passenger service on the railroad, only cargo trains. If you are travelling by train from elsewhere in Finland, however, you can select "Nummela" as your destination while buying your train ticket and you will receive a notably reduced price for the Helsinki - Nummela bus.

In practice, everything within the centers of Nummela and Vihti kk can be covered easily by walking. Both places are, however, somewhat hilly (around the Vihti Church or the esker in Nummela).

The public transport system within Vihti is not very developed. About 25 daily connections link Nummela and Vihti kk (15-30 min, 3.60 €), and a few buses a day do run to some remote villages (such as Ojakkala, Olkkala and Tervalampi). Buses run most frequently on schooldays.

Taxis are, as everywhere in Finland, new, effective, honest - and expensive. The taxi stands are located by the Nummela and Vihti kk bus stations. A taxi can be ordered by phone, by dialing 0100 4114 (Nummela) or 0100 4115 (Vihti). Normally you can get a taxi without any problems, but during the weekend nights the queues can be remarkable.

Pyhän Birgitan kirkon rauniot (Ruins of St Bridget's Church), Kirkkoniementie, Vihti kk, [1]. Always open. With the ruins of Vihti's old medieval church that hasn't operated in hundreds of years but hasn't completely perished, the small ruins stand in beautiful landscape and a pretty view over the lake. Occasional religious services during summertime.. Free. edit

Vihdin museo (Vihti Museum), Kirkkoniementie 1, Vihti kk, ☎358 9 4258 3185, [4]. Sun 12-15. Vihti's museum is located in two different houses. Standard display features village life in the 19th century. Very limited opening hours during the winter, but less so during the summer. Adult / child 2 € / free. edit

As the Everyman's Rights allow free access to nature in Finland, Vihti is known for its great outdoors activities, such as skiing, golf, swimming, trekking and more. All of the municipality, except perhaps parts of the semi-urban area of Nummela, is located in the immediate proximity of beautiful nature.

Nuuksion kansallispuisto (Nuuksio National Park), (Tervalampi), ☎358 205 64 4790, [5]. Always open. This small (on a Finnish scale) but interesting national park offers plenty to see for nature lovers, with no cost. The park entrance on the Vihti side is somewhat quieter than the one on the Espoo side. To get there by public transport, there is a bus connection from Helsinki, Nummela and Vihti kk. Look up further details from it's own articleFree. edit

Vihti has nine public beaches. Three of them qualify the EU-standard -rating "Excellent", they are Myllylampi, Otalampi and Varikkaa. Full list of beaches and their locations can be found from the municipality's website [13]. Be aware, that because of short summers, water might be colder than you expect (18-22 Celsius being normal), even on hot summer days.

While Vihti isn't exactly a shopper's heaven, it has totally adequate services for many circumstances, particularly in Nummela. The town centre of Nummela has the largest selection of specialty stores. A large selection of groceries found in Nummela's two competing hypermarkets Citymarket and Prisma. If you are staying for longer and are looking for cheap trekking equipment, fishing equipment, tools, car spare parts and the like, your best bet is Hong Kong. Nummela is also home to an innovative ecologically oriented textile company Globe Hope, which has a factory outlet at Harjutie 14